It looks like a bright orange toy. It costs $199. And it generated more buzz at CES 2024 than almost anything else in the room. But what exactly is the Rabbit R1 and does it actually do anything useful?
In this guide, we’ll give you a completely honest, beginner-friendly breakdown of what the Rabbit R1 is, how it works, what it can and can’t do, and whether it’s worth buying.
What is Rabbit R1?
The Rabbit R1 is a small, standalone AI-powered device about the size of a deck of cards. It’s designed to be a personal AI assistant that you carry with you not a smartphone, not a smartwatch, but something entirely new.
Instead of opening apps one by one, the idea behind Rabbit R1 is that you talk to it naturally and it takes action on your behalf. You ask it to order food, play music, book a cab, or browse the web and it does it, using AI to operate apps just like a human would.
It was created by Rabbit Inc., a startup founded by Jesse Lyu, and it went viral after its CES 2024 reveal when it sold over 100,000 units in pre-orders within days of the announcement.
The Rabbit R1 runs on what Rabbit calls a Large Action Model (LAM) similar to how ChatGPT uses a Large Language Model (LLM) for text, but designed to take actions rather than just answer questions.
How Does the Rabbit R1 Work?
The Rabbit R1 is built around one core idea: instead of you learning how to use apps, the AI learns how to use apps for you.
Here’s how it works in practice:
- You press the push-to-talk button on the side of the device.
- You speak your request “Order me a pepperoni pizza from Domino’s” or “Play my chill playlist on Spotify.”
- The LAM (Large Action Model) takes over it navigates to the relevant app or website and completes the action.
- You see the result on the small screen confirmation, results, or a response from the AI.
The device has a 2.88-inch touchscreen, a 360-degree rotating camera, a built-in microphone and speaker, a SIM card slot (4G capable), and a USB-C charging port. It connects to WiFi and cellular networks independently, no phone required.
Key Features of Rabbit R1
Here’s what the Rabbit R1 includes:
- Push-to-talk AI assistant press a button and speak naturally to complete tasks.
- Large Action Model (LAM) AI that operates apps like a human user, not just answers questions.
- Rotating camera swivels 360 degrees for taking photos and for the “Rabbit Eye” feature (visual AI).
- Always-on connectivity built-in WiFi and optional 4G SIM for standalone use.
- Rabbit Hole portal a web dashboard where you connect your accounts (Spotify, Uber, DoorDash, etc.) so the AI can access them.
- No subscription fee $199 one-time purchase, no monthly payment (as of 2025).
- Pocket-sized design 78.8mm x 78.8mm, weighs just 115g.
- USB-C charging standard fast charging.
What is Rabbit R1 Used For?
Ordering Food and Services
Ask Rabbit R1 to order your usual from DoorDash, call an Uber, or reserve a table at a restaurant. The LAM logs into the app and completes the order on your behalf.
Playing Music Without Opening Apps
“Hey Rabbit, play my workout playlist on Spotify” and it does, without you unlocking your phone, opening the app, and navigating the interface.
Getting AI Answers On the Go
Ask Rabbit R1 any question, how to cook a recipe, what the weather is, what a word means and get an AI-powered spoken answer. No screen needed.
Taking Photos with Visual AI
The rotating camera lets you point the device at something and ask “What is this?” or “How do I fix this?” The AI analyses the image and responds. Great for identifying objects, plants, or error messages on screens.
General Task Automation
The vision for Rabbit R1 is broader than what it currently does eventually, the LAM is designed to handle complex multi-step tasks across many apps, reducing how much time you spend tapping through interfaces.
Who is Rabbit R1 For?
Rabbit R1 is aimed at:
- Early adopters and tech enthusiasts people excited to experiment with new AI hardware before it goes mainstream.
- People curious about post-smartphone technology those interested in what comes after apps and touchscreens.
- Anyone interested in AI assistants beyond Siri and Alexa Rabbit R1 takes actions, not just answers.
It is honestly not ideal for people who just want a reliable, everyday device. As we’ll cover below, the Rabbit R1 has real limitations right now.
Rabbit R1 vs Humane AI Pin vs Smartphone
| Feature | Rabbit R1 | Humane AI Pin | Smartphone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | ✅ Small (2.88″) | ❌ Projector only | ✅ Large |
| AI assistant | ✅ LAM-based | ✅ AI-based | ✅ Siri/Google |
| App support | Limited | Very limited | Full |
| Standalone (no phone needed) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | N/A |
| Price | $199 | $699 + subscription | $399–$1,200 |
| Subscription fee | ❌ None | $24/month | Carrier plan |
| Battery life | ~8 hours | ~3–4 hours | 10–24 hours |
| Maturity / reliability | Early stage | Early stage | Fully mature |
How Much Does Rabbit R1 Cost?
The Rabbit R1 is priced at a flat $199 USD, no monthly subscription required. This is one of its biggest selling points compared to the Humane AI Pin ($699 + $24/month).
You can order directly from rabbit.tech. Shipping is available worldwide.
There are no different models or configurations, it comes in one version, only in orange.
Is Rabbit R1 Worth Buying? (Honest Verdict)
Here’s the honest truth: the Rabbit R1 is a fascinating idea in an early, unfinished product.
When it works, it’s genuinely impressive. But early reviews have highlighted inconsistencies the LAM sometimes struggles with complex tasks, and the feature set is still limited compared to what was promised at launch.
What’s good:
- Great price for an AI gadget at $199
- No subscription fee
- Genuinely novel interaction model
- The visual AI camera feature is impressive
What needs improvement:
- App integration is still limited
- Some promised features were slow to roll out
- Battery life could be better
- The LAM doesn’t always complete tasks reliably
Our verdict: If you’re an early adopter who enjoys experimenting with new technology and doesn’t mind occasional rough edges, the Rabbit R1 is a fun, affordable AI gadget to explore. If you want something that just works reliably every day, wait for the next generation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rabbit R1
Q: Does Rabbit R1 require a phone to work? A: No. The Rabbit R1 works completely independently. It has its own WiFi and 4G connectivity, so you don’t need a phone nearby to use it.
Q: What apps does Rabbit R1 support? A: Current supported services include Spotify, Uber, DoorDash, and a few others connected via the Rabbit Hole web portal. The list is growing as the company adds more LAM-trained services.
Q: Is there a monthly fee for Rabbit R1? A: No. As of 2025, Rabbit R1 is a one-time $199 purchase with no ongoing subscription fees.
Q: Can Rabbit R1 replace my smartphone? A: Not yet, and that was never the intention. It’s designed as a companion device or an alternative for specific tasks, not a full smartphone replacement.
Q: Is the Rabbit R1 still being updated? A: Yes. Rabbit Inc. pushes regular over-the-air software updates. Many of the early limitations have been improved through updates since launch.
Q: How is Rabbit R1 different from just using ChatGPT on my phone? A: Rabbit R1’s LAM is designed to take actions placing orders, opening apps, completing tasks not just answer questions. ChatGPT gives you text responses; Rabbit R1 is meant to do things for you.
Conclusion
So, what is Rabbit R1? It’s a $199 AI device that tries to change how you interact with technology replacing individual apps with natural conversation and AI-powered actions.
It’s not perfect yet, and it’s clearly a first-generation product. But as AI gadgets go, the Rabbit R1 is one of the most interesting experiments happening in consumer tech right now.
Whether it becomes the future of computing or a fascinating footnote in tech history, it’s worth knowing about.